Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook
The Chi-Town Tip Off began on Friday night. This huge event has teams from all over the Midwest, but a lot of the local teams took center stage on the first evening. Here is what we saw in Chi-Town Tip…
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Continue ReadingThe Chi-Town Tip Off began on Friday night. This huge event has teams from all over the Midwest, but a lot of the local teams took center stage on the first evening. Here is what we saw in Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Friday Notebook!
Unsigned Seniors Dominate Early Action
The first round of games at the 7:00 PM time slot was dominated by unsigned seniors. AJ Wells of A3 Athletics was outstanding. The Homewood Flossmoor 6’5” broad shouldered four man left his will on the game from the opening tip. He put up 17 points scoring in a variety of ways on thunderous dunks, rim running, and even hit a couple threes. Dominant area rebounder and physical defender. Would be wise for a JUCO or small college to pick him up late in the process. Bstrong Monsters Inc 17U featured a pair of intriguing small college gems. Phillip Berryhill of Curie is a very projectable and rangy wing that excels in transition and using his length on the defensive end. He had 13 points. Eddie Harris from Longwood was a new name on the unsigned senior board. He went for 16 points regularly getting to the rim on shifty and athletic takes. The crafty guard finishes around defenders at the cup excellent. The top unsigned wing in the state put on a show as well. Hillcrest 6’5” small forward Jakobi Heady has all the tools of a mid-major player, but will need to play at the JUCO level. Recently reopened his recruitment and we bet a ton of junior colleges will be tracking him this weekend as he went for 30 points and was the talk of the night.
EBA Ice Wins Thriller over BC Elite
The EBA Ice vs BC Elite contest was a really fun matchup. Both teams got after it on the defensive end and were aggressive taking it to the rim. For EBA Ice Ethan Gallagher of Lockport had a really nice outing. The 2022 6’4” shooting guard was excellent at getting to the rim creating off the bounce and then finishing with acrobatic layups. He had 11 points. Marist 6’0” power two guard Josh Ellison played bully ball getting downhill for scores. Their highest ceiling prospect is James Ogrodnik. The senior will go play prep next year and there is a ton to like with his 6’7” frame and athleticism. Can protect the rim, run the floor, and shoot it. The game winner came courtesy of 5’11” Lincoln Way Central point guard Frank Decarlo who got in a crease scoring the points that clinched the win.
On the BC Elite side they were pushed by a quartet of 2023 guards playing up. Hyde Park has a bright future with three of them coming from their program. Camron Wilford is a flat out attacking point guard that gets to the line and finishes through contact. He had 16 points. Da’marion Morris is a flame thrower from three hitting four of them on his way to 18 points. Josiah Morris is the third Hyde Park guard who also contributed in the win with 6 points and nice passing. Also have to mention Lincoln Park 2023 lead guard Myan Whitfield. He had 10 points displaying a sweet pull up game.
Illinois Falcons Win in OT over Illinois Elite
Another all Illinois battle here! The best long term prospect on the floor was an out of state player from just across the boarder in Beloit. Carlos Harris has a ton of projectability at 6’8”. The Beloit Memorial (WI) product can score inside and out stretching it to beyond the arc for a couple threes along with using his length inside to score on athletic post moves. Love his potential defensively! Should be on the low-major and high D2 radar! He went for 14 points. The man that sent it into OT was Rockford East shooting guard Biggie Luster. The 6’2” guard drained a half court heave. Silky smooth scorer that gets buckets from all over the floor loving the float game along with spot up threes. Also a solid decision maker dishing on drives. He had 24 points. Unsigned senior that would be a huge pick up for a JUCO that can develop him as he has quite a bit of upside. Yet another unsigned senior was the best player for the Illinois Falcons. Gerald Bonaparte stands at 5’11” with a ton of toughness. The strong bodied point guard attacks with quickness and power, crashes the glass, and can hit a shot when needed. He dropped 21 points. Also liked what uncommitted TF South 6’0” guard Christian Heffner did with the energy he brought. Did a little bit of everything being all over the floor all game long. Ideal glue guy at the small college level.
Quick Hitters
Buffalo Grove 2023 guard Josh Grote got hot in the second half for Limitless. The 6’0” guard was playing up on the 17U level. Netted 13 of his team high 15 in the second half.
Skilled Pac Elite 17U has quite a few 2022 prospects that D3 and NAIA schools need to have on their radar. Alex Vassilakis out of Lockport gets after it on D and can handle it. Griffin Daun is a 6’4” wing that scored inside and out. Hit a three, ran the floor, sealed in the post, and boarded well for his position. Randal Holm from Grant got to the charity stripe and had a nifty finish or two. Khari Carpenter might have the highest ceiling as the 6’5” Lockport 2022 prospect is oozing long term upside.
The diminutive backcourt of Illinois Storm 17U was fun to watch. Deon Bomar of Hinsdale South and Julius Smith from Lockport just got the job done. Bomar was particularly impressive with his drive and kick ability, pesky defense, and can knock down a shot when left open.
A couple of wings that had nice evenings leading their teams to wins were 6’5” 2021 La Salle Peru sharp shooter John Riva who went for 20 points swishing 5 triples for Illinois Attack in their 51-42 victory. Warren 6’1” guard Andrew Dolan netted 14 points in B&B’s evening victory!